Deborah has pointed out an interesting fact:
The Celtic warrior totem animal was the boar. (Hence hogs and bacon!)
Temple responds:
Temple responds:
This would mean that Hogwarts, in that it is guarded by two winged boars at the entry gate and replete with other boar or hog-like symbolism, exists to perpetuate the Celtic tradition.
To this might be added the fact that a great mythic boar is part of the Arthurian Legendry. Arthur is said to have slain a massive, dangerous wild boar. This is part of his claim to fame, his ability to subdue threatening forces and restore Albion (or England) to order. If the wild boar can be equated to magical force in its primal state, then it follows that what Arthur really did was to bring the magical force of nature to heel. He brought it under control through right practice, then, one might say. The same happens every day at Hogwart's, where students learn the basic laws of the magical universe and how to "tame" them.
It would seem that it's safe to conclude that JKR's choice of name for the school involves a great deal more than whimsy, though the adding of the "wart" suffix to the hog portion does most assuredly add a definite note of humor!
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